American Forests Forestbytes March 2009

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The recent catastrophic brushfires in Australia pose a threat that reaches beyond the nation itself. In addition to the horrific damage and loss of life, massive-scale wildfires like those currently in Australia can release incredible amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming. Global warming, in turn, can lead to drier, warmer climates, and forests that are more prone to insect infestations and large-scale wildfires. READ MORE

	African Forests Storing More CO2 The forests in the Amazon have long been called the “lungs of the world,” believed to absorb more CO2 than any other forests on the planet. However, recent studies suggest they may have competition for the title of “world’s largest carbon sink.” READ MORE

	Allergies and the Environment - Don't Blow it! AMERICAN FORESTS’ Does it seem that allergy season starts earlier and that there’s more pollen every year? Many scientists believe that global climate change could be partly to blame. This spring AMERICAN FORESTS is teaming up with Schering-Plough to educate nasal allergy sufferers and help improve air quality. Together we’ve launched “Don’t Blow It” www.dontblowit.com - an entertaining and educational online health game with useful tips.READ MORE

	Earth Day Approaches As we get closer to April 22nd, are you thinking about what you’d like to do for Earth Day? Here’s one idea: host a Thoreau party, complete with music, organic food, and the documentary Walden: The Ballad of Thoreau. This play highlights the last two days that Thoreau spent at his cabin at Walden Pond. READ MORE

	DC Environmental Film Festival Invitation AMERICAN FORESTS invites those who will be in Washington, DC on March 18th to the US premiere screening of Aigoual, The Rebirth of a Forest. This remarkable film follows the 19th century story of a mountain’s reforestation, and of those who were committed to it despite many challenges, often from their fellow man. READ MORE

	Teach Them About Trees As spring approaches, consider the many resources that AMERICAN FORESTS offers to educate children on all the changes that are beginning to happen in nature, and other aspects of trees and forests as well. A Tree For Every Child is the learning guide we offer for educators of children grades 4-6, and includes lesson plans and activities both in and out of the classroom that teach children about forest ecosystems. READ MORE

	New Trees for Lincoln Cottage On March 20, the first day of spring, the grounds around DC’s Lincoln Cottage will welcome some special additions to its landscape. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, along with Davey Trees, AMERICAN FORESTS and our Famous and Historic Tree Program, have organized this tree-planting event at the historic cottage. READ MORE

	NYC Theatre Production Goes Green AMERICAN FORESTS is partnering with Wreckio Ensemble for their stage production of Rooftops. This New York City theater company is committed to generating the set, costume, lighting and marketing materials with a minimum of 80% recycled items. Wreckio's awareness of the tremendous waste generated through the production of theatre has inspired the company to offer its patrons an opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of their entertainment experience by donating to AMERICAN FORESTS at the shows. The show runs from March 5th through the 28th. For showtimes and information go to http://www.wreckio.com/.

	Take Our Survey - Plant a Tree If you did not take this survey last month, please do so now. It’s only a quick, 5-minute survey, and AMERICAN FORESTS will plant a tree for every person who takes it. Take Our Survey

Greening the Stimulus Package
AMERICAN FORESTS urges federal and state agencies to put new Economic Stimulus funds to work on projects creating jobs rebuilding green infrastructure and the environment in urban and rural areas, as permitted by the new legislation. READ MORE

Aldo Leopold Shack Named National Historic Landmark
The Aldo Leopold Shack and Farm is a picturesque place full of nature, and inspired many of the essays that appeared in American Forests magazine in the 1930’s before being published in Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac, one of the most significant works of conservation literature. READ MORE

Documenting San Antonio's Tree Canopy Change
Recognizing the many benefits of its urban tree canopy, and a growing concern of the loss of these benefits as the area continues to develop, the City of San Antonio asked American Forests to study changes there since our initial analysis of the city’s 2001 tree cover. Last month we reported our findings to the San Antonio City Council. READ MORE

smart USA Makes Smart Choices for the Environment In celebration of the smart fortwo’s first year anniversary in the United States, smart USA will plant a tree in honor of every vehicle sold in 2008. In partnership with AMERICAN FORESTS and Daimler Financial Services, smart USA will plant approximately 25,000 trees in the Cache River State Natural Area, located in southern Illinois, about 150 miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. READ MORE

Hemlock, the Wooly Adelgid, and the Carbon Cycle
Recent research by the U.S. Forest Service confirms that the infamous hemlock woody adelgid has been upgraded from dangerous pest to serious threat. READ MORE

Tigers Need Trees Too
Deforestation in Sumatra, Indonesia is leading to increasing violence between humans and a tiger as the animals’ natural habitat is being slowly stripped away. The Sumatran tiger is the most engendered of all tiger species, and yet continues to lose its habitat to logging, which only encourages conflicts with humans. READ MORE

Look for American Forests' own Sheri Shannon
featured in the article "70 New Reasons to Live Green" in the April issue of Glamour magazine! READ MORE

	After Winter Comes… Appropriations! The new Congress and Administration demonstrated the urgency of the current economic crisis by devoting nearly all of their resources towards completing a massive fiscal stimulus bill over just one month in office. After versions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act made it out of the full House and Senate by early February, negotiators went to work ironing out difference between the two. READ MORE

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